Chapter Seven
The Black Slab and the Entrance to the Rock

Ibrāhīm ibn Mihrān related: Nuhaylah, who regularly attended the Rock in Jerusalem, told us:

“I recall a day when a man bearing the signs of travel came in through the northern door. I said, ‘Al-Khidr, peace be upon him!’ He then prayed two or four units of prayer and left. I caught hold of his garment, and he said:

“‘I am a man from Yemen. I set out intending to visit this sanctuary and stopped by Wahb ibn Munabbih. He asked, “Where are you going?” I replied, “Jerusalem.” He said, “When you enter the mosque, enter at the Rock’s northern door, then advance towards the qiblah. On your right will be a pillar or a column, and on your left a pillar and a column. Look between them and you will find a black marble slab. It lies at the gate of Paradise, so pray there and supplicate to Allah, Mighty and Majestic, for supplication offered upon it is answered.”’”

It is also related that ‘Uthmān al-Ansārī used to come to the black slab at night after finishing the Ramadan night prayers.